WelcomeTokyo / WelcomeJapan
About us
WelcomeJapan is a nationwide community brand operating across major cities in Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Managed by WelcomeTokyo, we organize diverse events and provide the official "WelcomeJapan App." Through our local gatherings and proprietary mobile app, we provide a safe, welcoming space where international residents, travelers, and locals can connect beyond language and cultural barriers to build genuine friendships.
Our Features & Mission
Driving Authentic Globalization and Healthy Multicultural Integration in Japan
WelcomeJapan and WelcomeTokyo were founded with a clear purpose: to accelerate globalization in Japan and broaden global mindsets among Japanese locals.
While global connectivity has rapidly expanded in modern times, it has also brought unique social challenges and cultural frictions. Therefore, our mission today is centered on "fostering authentic, healthy globalization by properly welcoming qualified international visitors and residents in the right direction."
We specifically focus on creating high-quality, safe spaces where English speakers, international guests, and Japanese locals can engage in meaningful dialogue and mutual learning. Beyond simply offering social events, our core purpose as an organization is to shape a sustainable, respectful, and genuinely integrated multicultural community for the future.
Founder's Story & Background
From a Teen Fighter in Thailand to a Professional Kickboxer and Global Community Founder
Founder & Representative: Kentaro Imagawa
The roots of WelcomeJapan and WelcomeTokyo trace back to Kentaro Imagawa’s late teens in Thailand, where he competed as a professional Muay Thai fighter while organizing and promoting social gatherings that connected local Thai residents with international visitors. Upon returning to Japan, he continued his athletic career as a professional kickboxer, competing in the ring while building hands-on promotional expertise.
When he returned to Japan after traveling through over 70 countries, even a major metropolis like Tokyo lacked an environment where English was casually spoken. At the time, seeing a foreigner around Shibuya’s Hachiko statue was so unusual that passersby would stop and point out, "Look, there's a foreigner!"
Having lived abroad for so long, he felt a deep personal need for a place where he could belong—a space to share open-minded values and feel at home. He realized that international residents isolated by language barriers, as well as locals passionate about global culture, needed a warm "shelter" where they could truly be themselves.
Driven by this personal calling to create the very sanctuary he had wished for, he founded WelcomeTokyo by hosting his first home party with 40 to 50 guests.
Why We Developed the Official "WelcomeJapan" App
Most third-party event platforms in today's market operate under high anonymity. Organizers often fail to properly verify attendees' identities, prioritizing sales volume while leaving participants to handle safety issues entirely on their own.
We strongly disagree with this hands-off approach. To guarantee genuine safety, organizers must maintain verified attendee records so they can directly manage issues and offer dedicated care if any conflict or harassment occurs. Driven by our core value—"Taking full ownership to control and guarantee a safe environment"—we designed and launched our custom "WelcomeJapan App."
Key Features
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Strictly Prohibited Conduct:
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All commercial sales, business solicitations, network marketing (MLM), or religious recruitment.
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Solicitation or promotion for outside events, rival gatherings, or external organizations.
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Invasively asking for personal contact information or sharing another guest's details without consent.
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Making personal advances, asking for contact info, or harassing venue and partner staff members.
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Pick-ups, uninvited physical contact, or any form of harassment.
Our Commitment to Community Safety
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Safe & Healthy Community:
We enforce a strict Code of Conduct to ensure everyone feels comfortable, prohibiting aggressive solicitation and inappropriate behavior.
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Diverse Activities:
We offer a wide range of events, from casual Language Exchanges and parties to outdoor sports and cultural experiences like Paint & Sip.
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Solo & First-Time Friendly:
Most participants join by themselves. Our bilingual staff members are on-site to assist, making it easy for first-timers to feel at home.
Enforcement & Support:
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Any participant found violating these rules will face immediate removal without refund and a permanent ban from all future events. Supported by our verified account system and on-site bilingual staff, we maintain dedicated reporting channels to ensure immediate action whenever an issue arises.
Booking & Pricing (International Events)
Official Direct Booking
Advance online booking via our official website or the "WelcomeJapan App" guarantees the most up-to-date schedule and the guaranteed lowest rates.
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Official Advance Online Booking (Web / WelcomeJapan App): Eligible for the guaranteed lowest rates and exclusive discounts.
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On-Site Payments & Third-Party Platforms: Please note that door payments made on-site and bookings made via external third-party platforms are not eligible for discounts or the lowest rates, and standard pricing will apply.
Event Locations & Areas
WelcomeJapan operates across major cities in Japan, hosting events at central, easy-to-access locations near primary transport hubs in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Naha, and Sapporo.
Tokyo Area
Mainly hosted around central hubs in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Harajuku.
Osaka Area | Osaka Area
Mainly hosted around key central areas such as Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Honmachi.
Kyoto Area
Hosted in central and culturally vibrant spots around Sanjo, Shijo, Kawaramachi, and Karasuma.
Naha Area (Okinawa)
Hosted in lively central spots around Kokusai Street (Kokusai-dori) and the Makishi area.
Sapporo Area (Hokkaido)
Hosted around central downtown areas such as Odori, Susukino, and Sapporo Station.